The club came into being on the evening of Sunday October 24, 1965 courtesy of Ted Norrish, the then classics master at King Henry VIII School, Coventry. Initially as a school only club, but soon extending to take in members from outside the school, leading the way to the club becoming what it is today.
Club colours and kit
The club colours are the red, yellow and black of King Henry VIII School, and the distinctive club banner is to be seen at many events. The club also has a variety of distinctive O tops based on these colours.
Governance
The club is run by Committee, which is elected each year at the AGM in October. It is governed by a formal constitution which states the official club name and affiliations and also the voting rights at the AGM.
Club magazine
The club publishes a newsletter called 'The Droober' six times a year.
Events
The club stages a wide variety of events throughout the year.
Saturday morning events are held approximately once a month from September to March. These are held on small areas of woodlands, country and local parks, and are suitable for beginners and experienced orienteers.
Wednesday evening events are staged most weeks from May to August. Again these are suitable for beginners and experienced orienteers, with the results contributing to a club summer league.
Higher profile events are organised to fit into the regional and national fixtures calendar. These are held on the club's better areas with technically challenging courses for the experienced orienteer, although still providing simpler courses for newcomers to the sport.
Mapped areas
The club has mapped a large number of areas over the years, probably just about every park and wooded area suitable for an orienteering event within its geographic boundary. The club's best areas are Bentley Woods and Sutton Park. Other nationally acclaimed venues are the University of Warwick campus and Warwick town centre and castle. At the other end of the spectrum are the numerous small areas used for local events such as Abbey Fields in Kenilworth and Wainbody Wood in Coventry.
Permanent courses
A number of the areas mapped by the club now have permanent courses on them:
The Club Championships are held every year to find individual champions in a range of age categories. Winners receive a trophy and a miniature orienteering banner.
The Tony Haw Memorial Cup is awarded to the leading club member on a handicap basis at the score event held annually to raise money for the Leukaemia Research Trust. The cup was donated in 2002 by Ginny and Debbie Haw.
The Ted Norrish Trophy, donated by the club's founder, and awarded to a member who has made an outstanding contribution during the year. This can be based on outstanding competition results, service to the club or a combination of both.
Bob's Dad's Trophy, donated by the late Bob Carey Senior, to be awarded to the club junior member who has achieved the most outstanding result or set of results during the year, particularly in respect of such events as the JK and British Championships.
The Jennifer Haw Memorial Shield, donated by the Haw family in memory of junior club member Jennifer who died in 1995. Awarded to the club junior member who accumulates the most points across all the events in the West Midlands League during the course of the year.
Club honours board
In recent years the club has won a number of prestigious national competitions:
